Anna Tunnicliffe to join GAC Pindar in Cardiff

Beijing Olympic Laser Radial gold medalist and Team USA heroine, Anna Tunnicliffe, is to join the GAC Pindar Extreme sailing team for the Extreme Sailing Series in Cardiff, UK over 30 August until 2 September.

Tunnicliffe, who is fresh from competing in the Women's Match Racing at London 2012 will swap match racing for short course multihull action as GAC Pindar takes on the Extreme fleet.

The US sailor has been the 'golden girl' of the sailing world since earning her gold in her Olympic debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Since then, Tunnicliffe has been named U.S Sailing's Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year four times, becoming the first woman to earn the award in four consecutive years. She has also received the most prestigious recognition of her sport, the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year twice, in 2009 and 2011.

With GAC Pindar skipper and ISAF World match racing champion Ian Williams competing in St Moritz on the fifth leg of the Alpari World Match Racing tour, it is once again up to Andrew Walsh to take command of the GAC Pindar Extreme 40. Joining Walsh will be GAC Pindar regulars Mark Bulkeley (main), Adam Piggot (trim), Anna Tunnicliffe (Tactician) and another newcomer Rick Peacock (bow). Peacock is no stranger to high performance sailing, with over 10 years of competing in professional sailing in particular, the highly competitive 49er class.

Speaking ahead of the next exciting Act, Anna Tunnicliffe says, “I'm really excited to be joining GAC Pindar in Cardiff for the Extreme Sailing Series - I'm looking forward to learning from the guys and offering my skills to the team. I can't wait for the stadium short course sailing and the super, fast-paced action. I've watched it over the past couple of seasons and am really pleased to finally be a part of it!”

GAC Pindar skipper Andrew Walsh adds, “We're excited to welcome Anna and Rick to the GAC crew. After two weeks of being glued to the Olympics, everyone is fired up and looking forward to getting back on the water. The UK leg of the ESS have always been really well supported and Cardiff Bay should be perfect for the supporters to get right up close and personal to all the action.

"I am sure the racing will be as intense as always, with all of the teams fighting for the podium and putting on a great show! All of the British sailors will be particularly fired up, sailing in front of our home crowds.”

The event coincides with the Cardiff Harbour Festival. Former cricket captain and GAC ambassador Michael Vaughan will be making an appearance to try his hand at sailing and there will be a multitude of Olympic athletes and Team Volvo sailors also getting involved in the action.